Game apparatus.



PATENTED DEC. 12, 1905.

W. T. MERRIMAN. GAME APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APE.26.1905.

WITNESSES:

JNVEN T 01?.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. I

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1905.

Application filed pril 26, 1905. Serial No. 257,416.

To a, whom, it may concern/i Be it known that I, WILLEVE T. MERRIMAN,

a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Jackson, in thecounty of Jackson and State of Michigan, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Game Apparatus, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to apparatus for playing a game in which ballsare thrown at a target; and the invention consists in variousimprovements in the construction of the target, all as more fullyhereinafter described and claimed in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the target. Fig. 2is a vertical central section thereof. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation withthe curtain partially broken away. Fig. 4 is an enlarged section of asmall fraction of the target.

A represents the target, comprising a rigid backing a, of wood or othersuitable material, and a facing 1), upon which a series of concentriccircles are drawn. The center or bullseye of the target forms an openingin the target, and the spaces between the concentric circles are thicklystudded with points a. To this end I preferably take for the facing ofthe target tough hemp paper or the like, which I perforate by the use ofdie-plates prepared for the purpose. In the perforations thus made Iplace short fiat-headed steel-wire tacks and then secure the facing withthe tacks therein to the backing by suitable cement or glue, usingpressure to firmly unite the parts together. The spaces between theconcentric circles are also preferably of diiferent colors and arenumbered according to their value in the game. Behind the openingforming the bulls-eye there is a chamber or receiving-pocket d, adaptedto receive the balls passing through the opening and conduct the samethrough a passage 6 at the base of the pocket into and through anopening f in the base of the target to a seat, such as the wire ring g.The rear wall of the pocket behind the bulls-eye is formed with anopening in it, and this opening is covered over by a flexible curtain h,secured at one end only, so that it may yield by the impact of a balland deaden it. By arranging the curtain in a slanting position, asshown, and

enlarging the bulls-eye opening'rearwardly the ball is prevented fromrebounding out. Adjacent to the passage 6 is journaled a crank-shaft 71,carrying a crank-arm j, extending into the passage, and a bell-hammer k,adapted to strike the bell Z whenever a ball passes throughthe passage.

The target is preferably secured upon suitable legs- B, so that its facewill be upon a slight incline to they vertical, and between the frontlegs one or more cross-wires may be secured for carrying game-countersC.

In connection with the apparatus described balls are provided forthrowing at the target. These balls, which may be simply of soft wood,are thrown from a distance, according to the rules of the game, and areintended to impale themselves upon the sharp points in strikin thestudded portion of the target, while 13%1086 hitting the bulls-eye andcounting the highest are caught in the pocket behind and roll out intothe ring g, at the same time ringin the bell.

- What I c aim as my invention is- 1. In a game apparatus, thecombination with a target having a bulls-eye forming an opening in thetarget, a chamber at the back of the target forming a receiving-pocketfor a ball passing into said opening, an opening in the rear wall ofsaid chamber opposite the bulls-eye opening and a flexible curtaincovering said opening.

2. In a game apparatus, the combination with a target having a bull,seyeforming an opening in the target, a chamber'at the back of the targetforming a receiving-pocket for a ball entering through said opening, aflexible curtain forming the rear wall of said chamber opposite thebulls-eye opening, a passage leading from'said chamber to the outsideand mechanism for ringing a bell by the passing of the ball through thepassage.

3. In a game apparatus, the combination with a target havin a series ofconcentric rings studded with s arp points for impaling thrown ballsthereon and with a bulls-eye I constituting an opening in the center ofthe target for the passage of balls therethrough, upon legs andsupported in an inclined posia chamber at the back of the target adaptedtion. 10 to receive the balls entering the bulls-eye In testimonywhereof I aflix my signature opening, a passage for the ball leadingfrom in presence of tWo Witnesses.

said chamber to an opening in the target, and WILLEVE T. MERRIMAN.adapted to conduct the ball through said Witnesses: opening and areceptacle for the ball in front OTTO F. BARTHEL,

of said opening, the target being mounted THos. G. LONGSTAFF.

